Archive for the 'Future vehicles' Category
June 30th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Roberto Giolito, head of Fiat-brand styling and designer of the popular 500, says Chrysler will build four versions of the mini-car beginning in 2011. The lineup will include the standard 500 hatchback, a convertible, a station wagon and a sporty “tuner” hatch based on the Abarth version of the 500. According to Fiat, an all-wheel-drive CUV is a possibility. All the versions will be sold as Fiats. Production may be at a plant in the U.S. or at Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico assembly facility.
According to a report in Automotive News’ European edition, the 500 will be the only Fiat-badged model to be sold by Chrysler Group in the U.S. market. Other Fiat-based vehicles will be produced and sold under one of the Chrysler brands.
Chrysler will sell Fiat’s upscale Alfa Romeo brand, according to public relations chief Gualberto Ranieri. In his statements to Bloomberg News, Ranieri didn’t specify which Alfa models might be coming to the United States but he did say Fiat SpA plans to build some of them here.
June 26th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Chrysler’s scientific research labs and proving grounds have set up their own web site at http://www.chryslertestservices.com with numerous photos of the corporate labs and tracks.
June 26th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Sources close to the action are saying GM’s Orion Township plant will get the nod to produce an upcoming GM car based on the Chevy Spark. The selection needs the approval of GM’s directors, which could come as early as today.
This could mean a political setback for Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn), an outspoken critic of the government’s assistance to the Detroit automakers. The Spring Hill, Tennessee plant that once built Saturn cars was one of the final competitors for the new car. The other plant was in Wisconsin.
One of the influencing factors may have been the 100 percent, 25-year tax abatement offered by Orion Township to GM. It’s estimated the automaker will save $100 million over the 25-year period.
June 20th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
HXC Performance, a Chicago-based automotive design, manufacturing and consulting firm, will show its new 2011 HXC Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show to be held November 3-6 in Las Vegas.
Artist's rendering of the HXC Hemi 'Cuda
Based on the new Dodge Challenger platform, the HXC Hemi ‘Cuda is inspired by the 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible. Equipped with a hand-built 426 Hemi developing 600 horsepower and 600 foot-pounds of torque, the HXC Hemi ‘Cuda will be an updated version of one of the most sought-after muscle cars of all time. The last ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda sold at auction for $4.1 million.
The base Challenger R/T with a 6-speed transmission will be converted with a Shaker Hood, custom grille, fenders, taillights and bumper and will wear billboard graphics similar to the original. It will also feature Brembo brakes, BBS wheels with Pirelli Pzero Rosso tires, a KW V2 coilover suspension, Kooks suspension and Corsa exhaust.
Rear view of the HXC Hemi 'Cuda showing the billboard graphics
The car to be shown in Las Vegas, No. 001, will be a white HXC Hemi ‘Cuda with all the goodies mentioned above plus a Kicker audio system and a Hurst shifter. After the show, the car will be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction in January.
Mopar, Autoform Development, Coach Builders Ltd, Pirelli Tires, Brembo Brakes, BBS Wheels, KW Suspension, Vortech Superchargers, PPP Engines, Kooks Headers, Corsa Exhaust, Sparco, Hurst Shifters, Kicker Audio, AirAid Filters, Highlander Concept Rendering.
June 19th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
ABC affiliate WTVG of Toledo ran a story suggesting that an Alfa-Romeo SUV based closely on the Jeep Liberty might be built on Toledo, helping the plant to run closer to capacity. Local sources say that Fiat leaders have visited the plant, currently down to one shift, four in recent weeks, taking measurements and analyzing equipment.
The plant has some flex capability, building the Dodge Nitro on the same line as the Liberty (the Nitro shares no sheet metal and has different engines, interiors, and suspension tuning).
The proposed Alfa SUV has apparently already been styled, with a smooth design.
The Jeep Liberty is due to be refreshed for the 2012 model year, and it’s possible that the Alfa SUV will not be produced until then. It could also be introduced earlier, depending on the number of changes from the Liberty and the state of its evolution, but probably not within the next 18 months.
(Thanks, Mark Steppel)
June 17th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Global Auto wrote that the Chrysler PT Cruiser would continue on through 2010 in order to keep the Toluca plant active until Fiats arrive. One motivation may be a large parts stockpile which was reported to Allpar two weeks ago, and which may have been due to the sudden collapse of PT sales when rumors of the small crossover’s demise began to circulate.
The PT Cruiser will enter its tenth year without major changes in December 2009, and is slated to continue through December 2010 – eleven full years. It may benefit from access to Fiat dealerships in South America and Europe.
Global Auto claimed that the Toluca plant would be home to the Fiat 500 and Panda, which they said would be sold as a Jeep, with retooling starting in January 2011 and continuing through summer 2011.
June 15th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Fiat will be fitting the Alfa Romeo MiTo with MultiAir engines and a start-stop system to increase gas mileage by shutting the fuel supply to the engine when the car is stopped, and seamlessly restarting the engine when needed. The 1.4 liter engine will be available in 105, 135, and 170 horsepower versions.
MultiAir engines have 10% more horsepower and 15% more torque than standard gasoline engines of the same design; they also reduce particulates and nitrides of oxygen dramatically.
MultiAir is a trademark for an electro-hydraulic valve control system currently used on gasoline engines, and planned for Fiat diesel engines.
Fiat is planning to share key technologies with Chrysler in the near term, and MultiAir is very likely to make it to mid-sized Chrysler Group vehicles as well as Fiats sold in the US (regardless of branding).
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